quicksearch
Anthony Gismondi on Wine
Scout Vineyard Rieslingtext
92POINTS
17/20

Scout Vineyard Riesling 2018

Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFour friends (two couples) began Scout Vineyard, based in the Southern Similkameen, and named for co-owners Murray and Maggie Fonteyne's daughter. The vineyard was planted 14 years ago. They met Aaron Godard and his wife Carly during Aaron's nine-year tenure as assistant winemaker and vineyard manager at nearby Orofino Vineyard. Orofino purchased Scout fruit, and continue to do so, albeit on a lesser scale, today. The four all still have day jobs while they work on this dream project together. 2018 was their first vintage, and they released 3 Rieslings, including this home vineyard one. The site is on the way to becoming certified organic, and the owners are focusing on the biodiversity of the site and the soils. Half-destemmed / half whole cluster, this was native fermented in a mix of Georgian quervi and neutral barrels over 2 months. It was left in the vessels undisturbed for 10 months before bottling unfined and unfiltered. An alluring lick of reduction rolls through this dry, slender riesling, with green apple, pear skin, lime, subtle verbena, meadow herbs, and ample mineral salts. There's a noticeable granitic grippiness to the palate, which lingers on the finish as mineral saltiness and a cue to have another glass. Reminds me of Jura, somehow. Fantastic first effort from a well-practiced team; looking forward to the future. 189 cases.Tasted: 09 February 2020Tasted by: Treve RingPrices:
BC$26.00750mlwinery direct
Producer: Scout VineyardDistributors: Winery Direct
Grape: RieslingUPC: 626990399148